What Transfiguration Sunday Reveals About Our Bodies
Christian tradition holds that 40 days before his crucifixion, Jesus led his most intimate disciples -- Peter, James, and John -- to Mt. Tabor in Galilee. There, he was transfigured before them. His body morphed from its usual appearance into a glorious, heavenly form. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light. Jesus was joined by two additional figures in glory: Moses and Elijah. They represented the Law and the Prophets, respectively. Then a "bright cloud" descended and a voice from heaven spoke: The Holy Spirit and God the Father enveloped the scene.
Although overwhelmed at the time, the disciples later reflected that this amazing revelation showed them that Jesus was the one who would fulfill all the hopes of God's people and that he was God's very own Son. Even more, the early Christians discerned a glimpse of the destiny of our own bodies. Just as Jesus' body was transfigured into a glorious body, so our own bodies will be transformed from their mortal state into something fit for eternal life. St. Paul would later write, "We shall all be changed...this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:51, 53). In other words, transfiguration is in store for all of us.
This is a very different vision of the body than what is usually set before us. One popular outlook is that when we die the lifeless body is all that remains of the person. It decays and is lost forever. There is no soul or afterlife. This is a materialistic view of human nature. Another popular outlook is strictly spiritual. When the body dies, it is left behind and the soul goes on forever without it. Having a body is not essential to being a human, and it is often a hinderance. The body can and will be discarded.
The Christian view of the body is different. Christians believe that God loves human beings in their totality -- body and soul. God sent his Son, Jesus, to give eternal life to the whole person. Jesus died in the body and he rose bodily from the grave. Christians believe that we will share that same pattern of bodily death and resurrection. Christians believe that at the time of death the soul and the body will be separated only temporarily. At the great day of Resurrection, God will reunite human souls and bodies into a new state of being. We will have bodies that are glorious and beyond the reach of death...just like Jesus showed us. All the bodily problems we have right now -- whether of functionality or comfort or approval -- will be fixed. One person said that our resurrection bodies will be "the best version of ourselves," finally showing clearly who we are in God.
Reflecting on this revelation suggests something important for us this Lent. During this season of penance, we can engage our bodies. We can and should embody our faith. We can ask ourselves, How am I using (or misusing) my body in light of the fact that my body is meant for heaven? Paul wrote, "The body is for the Lord... and the Lord is for the body." (1 Corinthians 6:13). Lord, how do I give you my body?
Now is the time to look forward to Lent and pray about how the Lord wants to show his glory through your body. He may invite you to fast or abstain from other habitual behaviors to root out sins. He may call you to a new form of service -- cleaning up an area, building something, or creating a piece of art. He may prompt you to offer gestures of affection to people starving for connection. The possibilities may be surprising because God wants to shine through the whole you.
In short, Transfiguration Sunday reminds us that the purpose of our bodies is to share in the glory of God. May God bless you through his glorious Son, Jesus, this Lenten season!
A prayer:
O God, in the transfiguration of your Son you confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the witness of Moses and Elijah; and in the voice from the cloud you foreshadowed our adoption as your children. Make us, with Christ, heirs of your glory, and bring us to enjoy its fullness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
-- from the Presbyterian Church. Book of Common Worship (pp. 226-227).
What Transfiguration Sunday Reveals About Our Bodies
Christian tradition holds that 40 days before his crucifixion, Jesus led his most intimate disciples -- Peter, James, and John -- to Mt. Tabor in Galilee. There, he was transfigured before them. His body morphed from its usual appearance into a glorious, heavenly form. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light. Jesus was joined by two additional figures in glory: Moses and Elijah. They represented the Law and the Prophets, respectively. Then a "bright cloud" descended and a voice from heaven spoke: The Holy Spirit and God the Father enveloped the scene.
Although overwhelmed at the time, the disciples later reflected that this amazing revelation showed them that Jesus was the one who would fulfill all the hopes of God's people and that he was God's very own Son. Even more, the early Christians discerned a glimpse of the destiny of our own bodies. Just as Jesus' body was transfigured into a glorious body, so our own bodies will be transformed from their mortal state into something fit for eternal life. St. Paul would later write, "We shall all be changed...this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:51, 53). In other words, transfiguration is in store for all of us.
This is a very different vision of the body than what is usually set before us. One popular outlook is that when we die the lifeless body is all that remains of the person. It decays and is lost forever. There is no soul or afterlife. This is a materialistic view of human nature. Another popular outlook is strictly spiritual. When the body dies, it is left behind and the soul goes on forever without it. Having a body is not essential to being a human, and it is often a hinderance. The body can and will be discarded.
The Christian view of the body is different. Christians believe that God loves human beings in their totality -- body and soul. God sent his Son, Jesus, to give eternal life to the whole person. Jesus died in the body and he rose bodily from the grave. Christians believe that we will share that same pattern of bodily death and resurrection. Christians believe that at the time of death the soul and the body will be separated only temporarily. At the great day of Resurrection, God will reunite human souls and bodies into a new state of being. We will have bodies that are glorious and beyond the reach of death...just like Jesus showed us. All the bodily problems we have right now -- whether of functionality or comfort or approval -- will be fixed. One person said that our resurrection bodies will be "the best version of ourselves," finally showing clearly who we are in God.
Reflecting on this revelation suggests something important for us this Lent. During this season of penance, we can engage our bodies. We can and should embody our faith. We can ask ourselves, How am I using (or misusing) my body in light of the fact that my body is meant for heaven? Paul wrote, "The body is for the Lord... and the Lord is for the body." (1 Corinthians 6:13). Lord, how do I give you my body?
Now is the time to look forward to Lent and pray about how the Lord wants to show his glory through your body. He may invite you to fast or abstain from other habitual behaviors to root out sins. He may call you to a new form of service -- cleaning up an area, building something, or creating a piece of art. He may prompt you to offer gestures of affection to people starving for connection. The possibilities may be surprising because God wants to shine through the whole you.
In short, Transfiguration Sunday reminds us that the purpose of our bodies is to share in the glory of God. May God bless you through his glorious Son, Jesus, this Lenten season!
A prayer:
O God, in the transfiguration of your Son you confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the witness of Moses and Elijah; and in the voice from the cloud you foreshadowed our adoption as your children. Make us, with Christ, heirs of your glory, and bring us to enjoy its fullness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
-- from the Presbyterian Church. Book of Common Worship (pp. 226-227).